Nathan Gore – Mushroom Farming
This FFA lesson plan, “Mushroom Farming,” centers on FFA member Nathan Gore’s supervised agricultural experience (SAE) growing mushrooms on cut logs. Students watch a video and complete two worksheets to learn the step-by-step process of growing, managing, and harvesting a mushroom crop, and to research five commercially popular specialty mushroom varieties. Includes student activity sheets and answer keys.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
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- Describe the step-by-step process used to grow mushrooms on cut logs.
- Research the propagation methods for five commercially relevant mushroom varieties.
- Examine the characteristics of popular specialty mushrooms.
- Time required
- 90 minutes
- Materials
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- A copy of the "Mushroom on a Log" worksheet for each student
- A copy of the "The Wonders of the Mushroom" worksheet for each student
- Internet access to play the video in real time or embed it in a PowerPoint ahead of time
- Resources/References
- Video: "Mushroom Farming SAE | Nathan Gore," https://vimeo.com/355395940; Article: "Six Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms You Can Easily Grow in Your Garden," https://www.tyrantfarms.com/6-gourmet-and-medicinal-mushrooms-you-can-easily-grow-in-your-garden/
- Cross-Curricular Connections
- Science — Research the propagation methods for five commercially relevant mushroom varieties.
Downloads & Links
Aligned Standards
AFNR Career Ready Practices
- CRP.02Apply appropriate academic and technical skills. Career-ready individuals readily access and use the knowledge and skills acquired through experience and education to be more productive.
- CRP.04Communicate clearly, effectively, and with reason. Career-ready individuals communicate thoughts, ideas and action plans with clarity, whether using written, verbal and/or visual methods.
- CRP.05Consider the environmental, social and economic impact of decisions.
- CRP.07Employ valid and reliable research strategies. Career-ready individuals are discerning in accepting and using new information to make decisions, change practices or inform strategies.
- CRP.08Utilize critical thinking to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Career-ready individuals readily recognize problems in the workplace, understand the nature of the problem, and devise effective plans to solve the problem.
AFNR Cluster Skills
- CS.06Analyze the interaction among AFNR systems in the production, processing and management of food, fiber and fuel and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Common Career Technical Core
- AG6Analyze the interaction among AFNR systems in the production, processing, and management of food, fiber, and fuel and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Common Core – Reading: Informational Text
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.3Analyze how the author unfolds an analysis or series of ideas or events, including the order in which the points are made, how they are introduced and developed, and the connections that are drawn between them.
Common Core – Science & Technical Subjects
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.4Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 9-10 texts and topics.
Common Core – Speaking and Listening
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
Common Core – Writing
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.2Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
FFA Precept
- FFA-CS-M.CommunicationEffectively interact with others in personal and professional settings.
- FFA.PG-J.Mental GrowthEmbrace cognitive and intellectual development relative to reasoning, thinking and coping.
- FFA.PL-A.ActionAssume responsibility and take the necessary steps to achieve the desired results, no matter what the goal or task at hand.